Server 2012 windows update stuck forever

Question

I have a problem with Windows Server 2012 (NON R2). Basically, svchost/wuauserv is stuck using 100% of 1 core (and 2GB RAM), indefinitely.

I tried pretty much everything I found online:

• Made sure there is enough diskspace (8GB now)
• Used Reset tools like ResetWUEng.cmd and Reset-WindowsUpdate.ps1
• Did a:
  • "dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth"
  • sfc /scannow
  • cd C:\Windows\System32\wbem\AutoRecover -> for /f %s in ('dir /b *.mof *.mfl') do mofcomp %s"
• Used WindowsUpdateDiagnostic.diagcab
• Tried WSUS offline (also hangs)
• Set windows update to never update
• Restarting VM, Restarting windows update service
• Left it overnight
• Manually installed latest monthly rollup (Februari 2019). This installed, but windows update still uses 25% (1 core) CPU indefinitely

I searched everywhere and I don't know what to do except for reinstall windows. At this point I just want to know what the problem is.

In the log file, lots of:

DtaStor WARNING: Attempted to add URL http://download.windowsupdate.com/d/msdownload/update/software/updt/2019/01/windows8-rt-kb4480094-x64_760d29d4007187bd160761d09c6b6600a5a84249.msu for file dg0p1ABxh70WB2HQnGtmAKWoQkk= when file has not been previously added to the datastore

Thanks

Solution

For anyone reading this: I finally solved the problem. After searching hundreds of topics I found someone who said disabling "desktop experience" solved his problems. I didn't understand why this would be related but I tried it anyway and lo and behold - it found 3 updates after 5min of searching. After restart, it now says "Your PC is up to date" - also after around only 5mins.

I have no idea why this solved it - we have some other server 2012 machines that have it enabled without problems.

Comments

[yagmoth555]

Ok, but if the service is disable or close, wuauserv restart and use the %CPU ? I just want to be sure, as something call the process to open if so (if not a monitoring software, a gpo?), or the bug just happen when you look for update ?

[ITWP]

After restart of wuauserv the CPU usage is normal, until it starts searching for updates again.

[ITWP]

Anyone? Left it over the weekend, still 25% cpu on svchost....

[kokokok]

Thank you ITWP. After one week with the CPU 50% and tried a lot of possible solutions, scripts and patches, your comment "disabling desktop experience" solved this problem in Windows Server 2012

[GlennG]

Finally something that works - don't know why nor care, just nice to get the server updated. Found a simple description of how to remove the Desktop Experience: support.symantec.com/us/en/article.tech228671.html